The Key West Citizen

Plan For Ocean Route
To Be Told At Luncheon

More than 300 leaders in the official, business and industrial life of Florida will gather in the Largo room of the Rod and Reel Motel at Key Largo Thursday to hear plans outlined in detail for the proposed $200-million ocean scenic highway, stretching from Key West to Upper Key Largo.

According to Wilden Van Sweringen, president of the Florida Keys Chamber of Commerce, acceptances have already been received from state officials as well as members of the Key West, Marathon and Florida Keys Chambers of Commerce.

Representatives of the Naval Station at Key West as well as the Homestead Air Force base have already indicated that they would attend, because of the interest manifest in the six-lane highway as a strategic route in case of an emergency.

Congressman Dante Fascell has notified the committee in charge of arrangements for the luncheon-meeting that he is sending his administrative assistant John Buckley to represent him. The entire county commissions of Monroe and Dade have also notified the Florida Keys Chamber of Commerce, sponsors of the meeting, that they will attend.

Taking part in the luncheon meeting will be Thomas Horobin, Coral Gables, well known promoter of bay and ocean bottom developments, who has already secured a New York bonding house for the necessary funds.

The project, Horobin has pointed out, will be paid for by the bond issue, after which the highway will revert ownership to Monroe and Dade counties.